10 | September | 2018 | This Year's Bible Reading Guide

Why?

It has been 70 years since Israel became a nation, in one day, on May 14th. Matthew 24:34 tells us this generation shall not pass away until all these things happen. Psalms 90:10 says the length of our days is 70 years – or 80 if our strength endures.

I read a generation was the age you were when your first child was born. In Abraham’s case – that would be 100 years. Genesis 6:3 said the length of our days is 120 years.

Jesus could come any minute or in 50 years. No one knows the day or the hour, (see Matthew 24:36-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3).

What I do know is He will be right on time. He is never early, never late.

Isaiah 14:24, “God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: ‘Exactly as I planned, it will happen. Following my blueprints, it will take shape.’ ” The Message

I’m ready. Are you?

At Brianna’s bridal shower, she heard an old wives tale. “The number of bows you break opening gifts is the number of children you will have.” She was fearless –

“Does anyone have a pocketknife?”

Weddings are full of symbols, traditions, and hidden meanings. Apocalyptic writings are the same. Daniel 7 and 8 are apocalyptic texts.

“…Apocalyptic texts usually presented symbolic versions, with every detail appearing to have a specific hidden meaning, though not always explaining it. The primary purpose of apocalyptic writing was to comfort those who were persecuted for their faith. Such comfort was found in knowing that all the kingdoms of earth, however powerful they might appear, would one day be crushed and replaced by God’s eternal kingdom, in which the faithful would be vindicated (Daniel 2:44; 7:27; 8:25). …” Chronological Study Bible Notes

Alexander the Great fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 8. Some things never change. What Daniel wrote about that time is true today.

Daniel 7:25, “Then he will blaspheme the High God, persecute the followers of the High God, and try to get rid of sacred worship and moral practice.” The Message

Jeremiah 29 tells us how to live regardless of the political state. We are to marry, have children, build houses, plant vineyards, etc. Through it all, we are to cling to our convictions.

“When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey, it would probably be fatal, he answered, ‘It is necessary for me to go – it is not necessary for me to live.’ That was true depth of conviction, and only when we are likewise convicted will our lives amount to something.”

“Streams in the Desert,” September 9

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